Topic: Pencil Test

The hosts critique the term "People of Color" as a modern linguistic softening of "Colored" and a potential "dog whistle" for those seeking to distance themselves from Black identity. They compare American colorism to the South African "pencil test" used to distinguish between Black and Colored individuals. Kamala Harris is cited as an example of a politician using "woman of color" as a safe, ambiguous identity.

The "brown paper bag test" and "pencil test" are discussed as historical methods used by black sororities and elite families to exclude those with darker skin or certain hair textures. Alicia Garza is noted for acknowledging that a spectrum exists where those closer to "white" are generally better off in the US.